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THIS WEEK ON THE PODCAST
A RESTON FILM FESTIVAL OPENS OCT. 8, AND HERNDON WEIGHS AN APPEAL
On Oct. 8, the lights go down at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas at Reston Town Center on a documentary about a college swimmer who survived a shark attack and made the U.S. Paralympic team a year later. That screening opens the Washington West Film Festival, which has run since 2011 and gives its net box office to charity. We had never covered it until a friend's daughter who helps with the festival's social media sent us the lineup.
A few miles west, Herndon Mayor Keven LeBlanc answered the Sept. 17 court ruling for Comstock with a video statement, and we play it in full on the episode. The town has until Oct. 19 to note an appeal.
We had so much fun with this one. We watched movie trailers and previewed the band playing at Rocktoberfest, so we’re really encouraging you to watch the full video this week. It’s worth it!
You can watch the full episode or jump to the parts that interest you below.
QUICK HITS
FROM THE TOP OF THE EPISODE
Voodoo Brewing has its license and is about two weeks from opening
Virginia ABC approved Voodoo Brewing's license the day after we toured the taproom at 2315 Dulles Station Boulevard, and the team expects to open about two weeks later. We plan to be there opening night. Owner Curry Lee lives in Reston, and a Reston artist painted the walls and windows. When you go, find the hidden speakeasy door along one wall.
Herndon's Municipal Center closes Oct. 2 through Jan. 2
The Town of Herndon is replacing the HVAC system and renovating the entrances at the Municipal Center and Council Chambers. Permit, inspection and finance counters move to 397 Herndon Parkway, Suite 100, and council meetings move to Suite 300. Check the town's online services before you drive over.
Vertical Horizon headlines a free Rocktoberfest on Oct. 10
The band that recorded "Everything You Want" closes Rocktoberfest at the Reston Town Center Pavilion, after sets by Virginia Coalition and Everything. It runs from 5 to 11 p.m., and admission is free. Read more
Frying Pan Farm Park holds Halloween on the Farm on Oct. 23 and 24, with one-hour sessions that need registration. Read more
On Nov. 1 at 1 p.m., paddlers dressed as witches and warlocks cross Lake Anne on stand-up boards and finish at the Brew House. Anyone can join for free, and two monster boards hold 12 to 15 people each. One of us paddles every year, so reply to this email if you want company.
The Reston Holiday Parade steps off at Reston Town Center at 11 a.m. on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and the tree lighting follows at 6 p.m. Read more
THE BIG IDEAS
WASHINGTON WEST BRINGS FIVE DAYS OF PREMIERES TO RESTON TOWN CENTER, OCT. 8 TO 12
Brad Russell, pastor of Dulles Community Church, founded the Washington West Film Festival in 2011 to pair film with philanthropy: audiences watch stories on screen, and the festival gives the ticket money to people and groups in need. The festival gives 100% of its net box office to projects that fight hunger, illness and poor education, and its motto is "Story Can Change the World." Most screenings are at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas at Reston Town Center, with more in Tysons. General admission is $20, and spotlight screenings are $40.
Opening night, Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m., is Stronger Than You Think, the D.C. premiere of a documentary about Ali Truwit. Days after her college graduation, a shark attacked her on a snorkeling trip. A year later she swam for the U.S. at the Paris Paralympics.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, A Mosquito in the Ear screens at 11:30 a.m. An American couple travels to India to bring home their adopted daughter, and the girl does not want to leave the orphanage she knows as home. The lineup also includes shorts and the pilot of FreeLance, a series about young creatives working odd jobs to pay rent.
The festival closes that evening with the East Coast premiere of Jimmy, about the season that remade Jimmy Stewart's life and career. It screens at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., and the earlier showing opens with a 20-minute tribute to Robert Duvall with his wife, Luciana. Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu in It's a Wonderful Life, appears in the film's credits and is expected for a Q&A. Rocktoberfest runs at the pavilion around the corner the same night.
ALSO ON THE EPISODE
HERNDON'S MAYOR ANSWERS THE COMSTOCK RULING, AND THE TOWN HAS UNTIL OCT. 19 TO APPEAL
Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Tania M. L. Saylor granted Comstock Herndon Venture's motion for summary judgment on Sept. 17 and denied the town's. Summary judgment decides a case on the law without a trial, so the deed to the five acres bounded by Elden, Center and Station streets and the W&OD Trail stays in Comstock's name.
The town assembled that land from the early 1990s through 2015 and conveyed it to Comstock in 2017 for a plan with 273 apartments, a 761-space public garage and an arts center. Comstock put the project on hold, and the town sued in 2025 to get the land back. Anyone who parks for Friday Night Live, Jimmy's or Aslin has probably parked on it.
Mayor Keven LeBlanc responded to the ruling in a video, which we play in full on the episode. The judge's written opinion has not been made public. If the town notes an appeal by Oct. 19, the block stays in limbo while a higher court reviews the case.
WHY WE'RE WATCHING THIS
RESTON TOWN CENTER FILLS ITS SEATS ON OCT. 10 WHILE DOWNTOWN HERNDON'S BLOCK SITS EMPTY
On one Saturday night, Reston Town Center hosts a film premiere, a Robert Duvall tribute and a free rock concert within a short walk of each other. Voodoo Brewing adds a taproom to Dulles Station a few days before. We expect to see half our neighbors at one or the other.
Downtown Herndon has Jimmy's, Aslin and Friday Night Live, and its biggest open block is still a parking lot nine years after the town handed it over. The Town Council has until Oct. 19 to decide whether to appeal. Until the town or Comstock makes a move, the lot stays as it is.
THE PODCAST
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FROM GREATER RESTON LIVING AT COMPASS
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Reston Insider is written by Kathy and Graham Tracey of Greater Reston Living at Compass, and you can call or text us at (703) 231-7049.
Compass, 11943 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190 | (703) 783-7485
